Evaluation of a Configurable, Mobile and Modular Floor-Pen System for Group-Housing of Laboratory Rabbits

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The group housing of animals supports species-specific behavior and avoids stress induction. Therefore, novel housing systems need to be established that provide sufficient space and meet the hygiene criteria for laboratory animals. Here, we describe the successful implementation of an improved housing system for single and group housing of laboratory rabbits under high hygiene environmental conditions. This system includes modular and mobile floor pens of different size and shape. Rabbits housed in this system showed species-specific behavior that depended on the circadian rhythm—a prerequisite for interpretable animal experiments. We propose that this housing system will be of great benefit for the well-being of laboratory rabbits used in biomedical science. ABSTRACT: The major responsibility of researchers and laboratory animal facilities is to ensure animal well-being during the time of acclimatization, experiments, and recovery. In this context, animal housing conditions are of utmost importance. Here, we implemented a mobile and modular floor-pen housing system for laboratory rabbits that combines rabbits’ natural behavioral requirements and the high hygiene standards needed in biomedical science. Twelve female New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were single- or group-housed for 12 months in mobile and modular floor-pens. Their general health status was evaluated at the end of the experimental setup. Further, we performed behavioral analysis of six additional NZW females group-housed for eight weeks in pens of two different sizes. We show that our improved housing concept supported species-specific behavioral patterns. Taken together, our housing system provides an optimal setup for rabbits in animal facilities that combines strict requirements for animal experiments with animal welfare.